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Scouts evaluate Capuano as LA dangles starters

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Outlook: Capuano, SP, LAD 0:35

Chris Capuano's stellar first half became a career-best year but he may lose his starting role on a Dodgers club that's added pitching

By Ken Gurnick
/
MLB.com |

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Scouts from Seattle, Pittsburgh, Texas and Cleveland trekked to a back field on Monday to watch Chris Capuano pitch seven scoreless innings in a Minor League game as the Dodgers step up efforts to move a surplus pitcher.

Barring a late injury or a setback to Zack Greinke or Chad Billingsley, the Dodgers can move any combination of veterans Capuano, Ted Lilly, Aaron Harang and Matt Guerrier. Many of those same scouts will be watching Harang when he starts Tuesday night.

A trade would make it possible for the Dodgers to keep non-roster reliever Kevin Gregg, who has allowed one run in nine innings and has more career saves (144) than the rest of the relievers in camp combined.

Lilly would be the hardest to trade of the three starters. He is 37, coming off shoulder surgery and has a $12 million salary.

Harang is 34, earns $5 million this year with a mutual option for 2014 for $8 million or a $2 million buyout. He went 10-10 with a 3.61 ERA last year. Capuano is 34, left-handed and earns $6 million in 2013 with a mutual option for 2014 for $8 million or a $1 million buyout. He went 12-12 with a 3.72 ERA last year.

Capuano allowed only three hits and struck out 11 while making 85 pitches in the Minor League game. He said he hasn't been told when or where he would pitch next, but he's happy that his last two outings have been "really good" mechanically and by results.

He said he's "curious" about how the Dodgers' pitching surplus will work out, but he hasn't worried about it.